The first shag cut I did on a woman over fifty was on a lady who said she hadn’t changed her hairstyle since her youngest child went to kindergarten. That was twenty-three years ago. She was not nervous about going much shorter or keeping it edgy; she was nervous about being visible. I often remember her, particularly when clients from this age group come to me with a similar mindset and I have to push back on them. I try to explain that asking for something “sassy” is not a compliment; it’s more a request to give them permission to look like the version of themselves they have been waiting to reveal.
One thing I have learned during my years behind the chair is that the hair styles that tend to “work” for women over fifty are not about going against the grain. It’s more about the right styling to create a good fit. When it comes to the right combination of the right cut, hair, and person, the transformation can be remarkable. It’s possible many styles will require minimal maintenance, but some will have you coming back to my chair every five weeks. And I will be honest with you about which styles are which.
#1: Dynamic Short Cut with Soft Layers
Once the right shape is accomplished, this is one of those cuts that does most of the work for you. If visiting the salon every month isn’t your speed, soft layers are great because they do not look choppy as they grow out. The movement created by the layers, especially with fine hair, gives the illusion of volume that backcombing and heavy products provide, without the hassle. You only need a bit of mousse through damp hair to achieve this. The silver hair has enough natural variations in tone to appear dimensional, even without highlights, which is nice because it’s not flat.
#2 Chic Asymmetrical Pixie Cut with Bold Highlights
An asymmetrical pixie hit or miss, and it really depends on how much effort you are willing to style your hair in this particular direction. This cut has just the right amount of layered texture to just fall into place, and that’s why it’s different from asymmetrical pixies that look like you just rolled out of bed. The highlights are working because they are strategically placed to define the angle and guide your focus horizontally across the face instead of vertically. If you have color in your hair, be prepared to do touch-ups every 6 weeks to prevent those light pieces from getting brassy.
#3 Textured Curly Bob with Natural Volume
If you have natural curls and have been trying to tame them with blowouts and flat irons, here is what happens when you stop. At this length, a bob allows curls to act freely instead of being weighed down, and the layering is smart because it’s controlling the curl pattern instead of just thinning. For a cut like this, a good leave-in conditioner is non-negotiable. You want moisture to keep the curls from frizzing and separating. The soft framing around the face is flattering on rounder faces because it gives the illusion of length without the effort of hiding anything.
#4 Softly Layered Silver Bob with Wispy Bangs
The combination of a bob haircut with wispy bangs is surely a great look for so many people! I enjoy a lot when the bangs are thin enough to look like they are floating and moving, instead of having them sit stiff on the forehead like a bang curtain. The length of a bob that is a little below the chin is a lot more forgiving than a bob that hits right at the jawline. Having this length gives more versatility to tuck the hair back behind the ears or pull it back off the face. The silver looks beautiful and the layering prevents it from looking heavy. I will mention that with bangs, expect to do some more frequent trimming, that’s the first thing that will start looking grown out! If you want to keep bangs above your eyes, you will have to trim them every 3-4 weeks.
#5 Textured Silver Bob with Soft Waves
I mean this as a compliment, this is a good cut. This is a good cut compliment, as not all cuts find that balance. But this one can, as it looks good on many and without too much effort. The waves add a little more to it, but with a straight version it would still work because of the length and overall shape. Finer hair with waves like these is great, as they give that extra density to the cut. To maintain the waves, you will need a texturizing spray as it can lose the volume and shape by day two.
#6 Playful Layered Bob with Soft Waves
What caught my attention first were the face-framing highlights. They are placed where the light would naturally hit. It looks effortless, but it takes a good colorist to create a blend that seamless. The bob is also classic, just below the jawline with enough layering to avoid the helmet look. This type of weight distribution works well on fine to medium hair because you aren’t removing so much bulk that it goes limp, but you’re getting enough movement that it doesn’t just hang.
#7 Textured Short Cut with Playful Layers
Some may consider this a younger style but the tousled textures are what make it unique. The layers work; the real trick is in not finishing it too much. A blowout would get rid of the cool factor with this cut. The length above the ears opens the face and shows off the neck. I’d keep it a little more undone on purpose and tried to resist the product.
#8 Sleek Angular Bob with Subtle Highlights
I like to be upfront when it comes to an angular bob. It absolutely looks stunning initially, but it also loses its style quicker than most. Maintaining this style requires a trip to the salon every 5 to 6 weeks. It is very high maintenance. However, when it is kept up, this style is incredibly sophisticated. The subtle highlights here create the perfect amount of contrast to keep your hair looking lively without taking away from the pure geometry of the cut. And this is most definitely the right choice because, at the end of the day, the shape is what this haircut is all about.
#9 Textured Tapered Cut with Defined Curls
If you’re rocking curly hair, a tapered cut is a great option for you. With the tight sides and volume at the crown, it creates a shape I’ve yet to see with other hair types. These curls are excellent, not crunchy, and with great definition, indicating just the right amount of product. You’ll want a curl cream without stiffness for this cut. To retain the tapered shape that grows out pretty nicely, the maintenance is mostly curl definition.
#10 Elegant Long Layers with Soft Waves
After turning fifty, people feel free to judge your hair, particularly as social convention prefers shorter styles. It’s not the age or the length of the hair that is the issue, but the absence of healthy, full, and voluminous hair. If that is the case, you have no obligation to chop your hair as someone may suggest. These layers have all been done to encourage movement, and to avoid that lifeless flat look at the mid lengths and ends that long hair tends to get when it is all one length. The subtle ombré is a perfect option here and gives you a color change without the additional commitment of lightening your hair and the ensuing damage!
#11 Softly Blended Long Silver Layers
This hair is of such length and quality that it garners compliments from bystanders at the grocery store! Long layers may seem like a simple concept, but they really aren’t. In order to avoid a more boxed appearance, the layering has to be blended, and the face framing layers must be cut so they fall naturally instead of looking like they were carved with a ruler. Longer hair is more maintenance (especially lighter hair) and you don’t want it to be dry or wiry so stay on top of conditioning! A good deep conditioning mask does wonders!
#12 Long Layered Silver Hair with Subtle Lavender Hues
I’d say that the echo silver color is going to look nice with the pastel colors for about three weeks. After that, you’ll be battling purple shampoo, toning appointments, and pray I’m not making that sound fun, but if that’s what you want then go for it. Lavender with silver is one of the best combos, for sure. If you want something that’s going to be easy and not require you to think about color until your appointments then this isn’t the one for you. The undercut is nice and the fine layers will move beautifully so even if you decide to go without the lavender it’ll look good.
#13 Textured Medium-Length Waves with Soft Bangs
Soft bangs with soft waves is a classic evergreen combination. The hairstyle looks effortless with the relaxed waves and this is an advantage of this hairstyle. This specific cut does require some styling because if you let your hair dry naturally the cut may lack the body and shape you want. A round brush and a dryer are the perfect tool to achieve that body and shape you want plus any style you may be going for. I personally like the warmth in the color. Hair with a gold undertone looks great with the skin.
#14 Textured Silver Curls with Defined Bounce
This is a perfect example of how impressive curly silver hair can be. The curls are defined and have a lot of bounce, which shows healthy hair. The cut is working with the curl pattern. For this type of hair, mid-length is typically the best length because you get the volume without too much weight that can pull a lot of curls out. If your curls lose their shape during the day, try a curl cream that has hold. Apply it to your damp hair and diffuse it to maintain the bounciness of your curls.
#15 Modern Blunt Bob with Subtle Silver Highlights
A blunt bob may look simple, but it is actually a really tricky cut. Little mistakes can show really easily. The weight line needs to be even all the way around and since hair like this is finer, it can show unevenness more easily. The silver highlights are also one of my favourite parts of the look. They add brightness without being a full bleach job which is nice. This style is really good for people who want a polished look without spending a lot of time on their hair. It really is so simple to style, you can just brush it and go.
#16 Edgy Textured Pixie Cut with Light Blonde Highlights
The blonde highlights look great and add some dimension to the hair! I like the attitude the highlights add. There’s enough length in this look to keep away the weird directional stabbing that fine hair does in pixie cuts and enough shortness to have a lot of movement! If you haven’t gone this short before, it really is more about the feel than anything else. After a week, most women love it! Pixie cuts require a bit more maintenance than longer looks because the highlights have to be done every six weeks. Plus, there’s not as much to disguise the regrowth.
#17 Charming Curly Short Cut with Defined Texture
I love doing short curly haircuts because when they are done right, they look fabulous. These curls are nice and defined, with some great overall shape and roundness to them. They frame the face without closing it in. The trick to a haircut like this looking good between visits to the salon is moisture. Curly hair is usually drier and short curly hair can get frizzy really fast if it isn’t properly hydrated. A moisturizing curl cream is the only product you need to use after washing your hair to keep it looking great.
#18 Charming Curly Silver Shag with Soft Volume
The shag haircut trend is great for me with my curly silver hair because of how good the haircut looks with layered curls. The volume looks even better with this haircut and it will not even look puffy. This haircut looks the best on thick curly hair because of all the hair. If your hair is fine it could look a little open through the ends and that’s not the goal. For those of you with thick hair, this haircut will age the best because the shape will continue to look good over time.
#19 Chic Textured Waves with Soft Silver Highlights
The silver highlights are strategically positioned around the face and that is a great way to bring attention to the face and brighten everything up. It may seem like a small detail, but it makes a huge difference. The waves and the layers give a softness, which is especially nice in heart shaped faces where width and movement are needed in the mid-lengths. I think this is a style that really needs some styling so it’s not a wash and go look, but for those who have a curling iron and can spare ten minutes, it’s a really nice style.
#20 Textured Short Crop with Defined Layers
Women may find this haircut skews a little too far toward the editorial end of the spectrum rather than the practical end, but this is exactly the sort of thing women want. The closed sides and longer textured top create a strong silhouette which really showcases your bone structure, and if you have nice cheekbones, this is a cut that will really show them off. The ideal hair for this cut is thick and wavy because you want that natural volume and texture, so artificial styling isn’t necessary. You’ll need to maintain the shape every four to five weeks to keep the sides and the top proportional, and if you’re feeling bold, an adventurous color will really push this cut even further.
#21 Chic Textured Bob with Soft Bangs
Having cut a great deal of historical bobs with bangs, I’ve always told my clients that bangs *make* or *break* a style. If they are too thick bangs will dominate your face and be the main focus of the cut. If they are too thin you’ll be lucky to see them by lunchtime. Bangs have to a certain amount to them, and these are ideal. These bangs are soft enough to blend in with the rest of the cut, but just enough to provide that frame across the forehead. The silver tone is modern without being overly done. The fine hair will work well here because the texture gives the illusion of density, although you will likely have to do a little more work to the style each morning because fine hair does tend to collapse overnight.
#22 Contemporary Sleek Bob with Subtle Textured Ends
This bob is fresh; plain and simple. The lines are sharp, the ends are textured the right amount, and the length is just right for framing the jaw. It looks good for an evening out, or just running some errands during the day, which is what most of my clients prefer. Light hair means the damaged ends are more obvious, so some smoothing serum, and a trim will do the trick.
#23 Soft Layered Cut with Gentle Bangs
Soft layers with gentle bangs is one of the most universally flattering hairstyles, though some find it boring as they feel it lacks personality. That is not so. This hairstyle is best defined by how it creates a softer look around the face which is something nearly all women want. Even those who think they want something more edgy, tend to prefer softer looks like this. The hair’s natural shine is incredibly healthy, coming from good maintenance rather than how fashionable the cut is. Bangs at this length will need a trim every 3 to 4 weeks.
#24 Textured Shoulder-Length Shag with Soft Layers
If you are over fifty, a shoulder-length shag will be a great haircut because it is versatile. You can get creative with how you wear it. It can be worn wavy, blown out straight, half up, and it looks good in all of those. The layers are placed to enhance natural waves rather than weighing hair down. Subtle highlights create an expensive look and good color work where hair color looks natural. With shags you can go eight weeks between appointments because it will grow out nicely and it won’t look neglected.
#25 Stylish Blunt Bob with Face-Framing Bangs
I won’t sugar coat it; getting a jaw-length blunt bob with bangs is a huge commitment. For instance, the blunt ends and bangs will need to be restyled and trimmed regularly, and you’ll also need to blow dry your hair to achieve the look if you have any waves at all. Still, the style is one of the sharpest and most polished looks out there. Not every style can give you a confidence boost like this one. The face-framing bangs provide a really nice contrast to soften an otherwise severe look. If you enjoy maintaining your hair, this style will provide you with a lot of great results.
Enter your email and get this picture and description straight to your inbox, and you'll also get new hair ideas ❤️
🔒 We don't spam or sell emails. See our Privacy Policy.